Smart mare to Rain supreme in Naas clash
Echoes In Rain (2.42) should have the bookies caught in a storm at Naas.
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Willie Mullins’ talented girl has bags of ability and the Limestone Lad Hurdle is within her compass on a cracking day’s racing.
After the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle, all the talk was understandably about Honeysuckle’s first-ever defeat as Teahupoo raced away to win at Fairyhouse.
Gordon Elliott’s charge franked that form when stepped up to three miles and powering home in the Galmoy Hurdle.
However, Echoes in Rain was travelling just as strongly as her rivals and creeping into the race when falling two out.
No one will know if she would haveave scored but itt was pointing towards an encouraging comeback and now she heads to Naas with this Gradede 3 at her mercy.y.
Echoes in Rain is getting a weight allowance from Bob Olinger and Darasso and the trainer is absolutely flying.
The same rules apply for RAMILLIES (12.42) in the Grade 3 novices’ chase.
The gelding built on a good hurdling career when winning on chasing debut at Thurles.
Ramillies has always been a real favourite of Mullins and the class act can stamp his ticket to the Cheltenham Festival.
Chemical Energy sets a good standard but the pair were closely matched over timber and the grey can prevail.
There are three jumps meetings in England with some of you no doubt heading for Sedgefield.
MATCHLESS (2.00) must have a very strong chance for the shrewd Jennie Candlish team.
The five-year- old won easily at Catterick and the door is open to go in again. Sean Quinlan is back on board and that is definitely no negative.
The jockey-and-trainer duo also have chances with BASSFORD (3.10).
Candlish’s raider was a good second here recently and that can put him spot on for today with the extra furlong a possible positive.
At Fontwell, it might be worth taking a value punt on ECHO WATT (2.50).
Richard Hobson’s horse has been grafting away this season without quite managing to win.
Juniper and Coolvalla have serious chances and the latter hhas already beatebeaten the pick twictwice this year.
HHowever, wwhi le that ppair are both cclimbing up ththe ratings, EcEcho Watt is havhaving weight knockknocked off. AlthoughAlthou brushed aside by Coolvalla at this venue last November, Lily Pinchin’s mount now has a massive pull of over two stones for a seven-length defeat. That might just tip the balance.
Southwell has six races and
(2.25) is one to watch for the red-hot Skelton team.
The six-year-old has not run since arriving on the back of a thumping win in a point at Loughnamore in October 2021.
Skelton has been patient with the horse and it’ll be interesting to see if there is any market confidence.
If the mare drifts in the betting, you’ll know a bit of work has been left on.
If money comes, Smiling Getaway will be ready to go because there is clearly talent under the bonnet.